Ref
Token-efficient documentation search for coding agents.
Updated
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Use cases
About Ref
Ref is listed in our agent infra category and is aimed at builders. Token-efficient documentation search for coding agents. Pricing, as the maker states it: Freemium. Maturity: Active. We last checked the official link on 2026-10-16.
What is Ref?
Ref is an MCP server that gives AI coding tools access to documentation for APIs, services and libraries, keeping agents up to date in a fast, token-efficient way.
Its tools are designed to match how models search, returning just the right context. It is listed as freemium.
Sources: the official README and our directory listing, checked 2026-10-18. Official site: github.com/ref-tools/ref-tools-mcp.
Who is Ref for?
Developers whose coding agents need accurate, current documentation.
Ref at a glance
- Open source: Yes (MIT License)
- GitHub: ref-tools/ref-tools-mcp · 1,183 stars (as of Oct 21, 2026)
Key features
- Documentation search for agents
- Token-efficient results
- Freemium
Ref FAQ
What is Ref?
Ref is an MCP server that gives AI coding tools access to documentation for APIs, services and libraries, keeping agents up to date in a fast, token-efficient way.
Who is Ref for?
Developers whose coding agents need accurate, current documentation.
Is Ref free?
Ref's pricing, as the maker states it: Freemium. Check the official site for current plans.
Is Ref open source?
Yes. Ref is released under the MIT License, according to its GitHub repository.
What are alternatives to Ref?
Similar tools include Google Workspace CLI, Corsair, Nasiko, CLI-Anything, Reef and Liveblocks.
Ref ratings and reviews
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Ref alternatives
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Integration layer for connecting your users' apps to agents.
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Open runtime for deploying and operating AI agents.
CLI-Anything
Open-source project from HKUDS that generates agent-native command-line interfaces for existing software, codebases and web APIs, with CLI-Hub, a registry of community CLIs that coding agents can install and drive.
Reef
Infrastructure for continually self-improving agents.
Liveblocks
Realtime collaboration infrastructure for multiplayer apps and AI agents.
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